Natural vs Artificial Light and Light Classification

The Difference Between Natural & Artificial Light

  • Natural Light:

    • Generated naturally by the sun.
    • Contains all the colors of the spectrum (full spectrum).
    • Dynamic: Light intensity and color temperature change with the time of day.
    • Affects our day-night rhythm.
    • We cannot control the amount, duration, and intensity of natural light.
    • Healthy: Changes color and intensity with time.
    • Beautiful: Natural balance of all colors.
    • Examples:
      • Sunlight
      • Candle Light
      • Early Sunrise
      • Noon Daylight
      • Direct Sun
      • Overcast Daylight
      • Blue Sky

  • Artificial Light:

    • Generated by artificial sources (incandescent lamps, CFLs, LEDs, etc.).
    • Does not radiate a full spectrum of colors.
    • Constant: Light intensity and color temperature do not change with time.
    • Does not affect our day-night rhythm.
    • We can control the quality, quantity, and duration using a number of factors.
    • Unhealthy: Doesn't change color and intensity with time.
    • Ugly: Unnatural balance of colors.
    • Examples:
      • Tungsten Light
      • Infrared Light
      • Visual Light
      • Electronic Flash
      • Incandescent Light Bulb
      • LEDs
      • Fluorescent

Ranges of color temperature are given in Kelvins (K):

  • From 1,000°K to 10,000°K

Artificial light can disrupt sleep due to too much blue light, whether fully ON or DIM.

Light Classification

We can classify lighting in many ways:

  • Source:
    • Natural
    • Artificial
  • Function
  • Mounting:
    • Recessed
    • Cove Fixture
    • Indirect
    • Pendant
    • Under-Cabinet Lighting
    • Task Lighting
    • Direct/Indirect Pendant
    • Recessed Fluorescent
    • Recessed
    • Wall Can
    • Wall Wash
    • Wall Sconce
    • Recessed Round Downlight
    • Recessed Square Downlight
    • Recessed Linear Wall-washer Chalkboard or Whiteboard Luminaire
    • Track Lighting
    • Track Lighting (Fluorescent)
    • Recessed Accent Light (MR-16)
    • Recessed Accent Light (MH PAR) (Incandescent)
  • Direction:
    • Direct
    • Indirect
    • Semi-Direct
    • Direct-Indirect
    • Diffuse
    • Semi-Indirect
    • Diffused
  • Location:
    • Indoor lighting
    • Outdoor lighting
  • Volume lighting
  • Constancy:
    • Fixed
    • Movable
    • Partially Movable
    • Total Movable
  • Color
  • Bulb Type
  • Cost
  • Efficiency
  • Size: big, small
  • Power and Voltage
  • Life Span